Golf practice range

ABSTRACT

A golf practice range construction including a gravity operated ball return system, and an electro-mechanically operated reciprocable ball drag for recovering balls from a driving range for transfer to the aforementioned system.

finited States Patent 11 1 Peeples 1 June 112, 1973;

[54] GOLF PRACTICE RANGE 684,062 10/1901 Howard 198/224 [76] Inventor:Maurice E. Peeples, PO Box 235, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONSKingsland, Ga. 31 8 1,020,946 12/1957 Gennany 198/221 Filed: Oct. 19701,167,253 10/1969 England l98/DIG. 18

[21] Appl. No.: 82,559 Primary Examiner-Edward A. Sroka Att0rneyKimmel,Crowell & Weaver [52] 11.8. CI 273/176 K, 198/221, 273/176 A 51 1111.01A63b 67/02, B65g 25/08 1571 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 198/221, 222,224; A golf practice range construction including a gravity 273/176 E,176 F, 176 FA, 176 F8, 176 K operated ball return system, and an electromechanically operated reciprocable ball drag for re- [56] ReferencesCited covering balls from a driving range for transfer to the UNITEDSTATES PATENTS aforementioned system.

1,011,321 12/1911 Clark 198/224 X 46 Claims, 16 Drawing FiguresPAIENIEDJUN' 21913 wen INVENTOR.

MAURICE E. PEEPLES ATTORNEYS PATENIEBJUN 1 2 I973 sum 2 If 7 INVENTORMAURICE E PEEPLES A TTORNEYS PAIENIEU JUN 2 I973 SHEEIJBF'I lea FIG. 4

FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

MAURICE 5. PEEPLE'S AT TOR/V5 YS PAIENTEB 1 2 SHEEHIBF? Musk INVENTOR.MAURICE E. PEEPL ES PATENTED JUN 2 75 SHEEISU! INV ENTORS MAURICE E.PEEPLES mmN ED W X 01W ATTORNEYS GOLF PRACTICE RANGE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A golf practice range comprisingopposed pairs of downwardly converging side walls, a remotely disposeddownwardly and inwardly inclined end wall, said side and end wallshaving golf ball target areas defined thereon, and drag meansreciprocable relative to the range to retrieve golf balls driventhereon.

2. Description of the Prior Art Golf practice driving and putting rangesare old, per se, and are familiar to many golfers as ground areasproximate to their golf courses. Similar ranges are found, frequently,in other open areas generally located remotely with respect to urbandevelopments. These latter are usually constructed to take advantage ofnatural ground contours, and one such example may be found in the U. S.Pat. to McKee No. 2,310,310. Artificially constructed practice rangeswith gravity operated ball return systems are also old in this art as isevidenced by the U. S. Pat. to Hall, No. 2,173,014, but these meanscomprise the primary ball return system rather than serving tosupplement a positively operable golf ball retrieving means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to, primarily,the provision of a golf practice range which finds utility in urban aswell as less densely populated areas. One of the unique features of theinstant invention is to provide a housing structure, which may bedouble-decked, to accommodate many golfers simultaneously who wish toimprove their mastery of the conventional woods and irons, and thisinvention contemplates the setting aside of special areas for providingputting practice, chip and approach shots, and sand-trapped recoveryshots. The practice range is, thus, so designed as to afford the user anopportunity to practice with all golf club woods and irons ofconventional construction.

The golf practice range also includes as a part of the housingstructure, areas set aside for the dispensing of foods, beverages,lounging, a pro shop, shower installation and, in fact, any facilitynormally found in a conventional clubhouse.

In addition to the golf driving range and the facilities afforded tousers thereof as mentioned above, one of the most important features ofthis invention resides in the provision of a golf ball retrieving dragof electromechanical construction for returning golf balls driven ontothe range to a common compartment in the housing structure, theretrieving drag cooperating with a gravity feed means to effect thisfeature of the invention.

A further object of this invention is to provide a water drain systemfor the golf practice range.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a golf practicerange which may be open to the public not only during fair weatherconditions, but also under any prevailing inclement weather.

A further object of this invention is to provide a golf practice rangeof the type generally described above, and wherein the range may beconstructed with minimal costs without the sacrifice of quality, and onewhich requires practically no maintenance.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will becomemore apparent from a consideration of the following specification whenread in the light of the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golfcourse practice range, the facilities attendant thereon, and including ashowing of a golf ball return drag also constructed in accordance withthis invention in one of its operative positions relative to the range;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal medial transverse crosssectional view of thepractice range and the ball return drag, FIG. 2 being takensubstantially on the vertical plane of line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail transverse cross-sectional viewof the range and its associated golf ball drag, FIG. 3 being takensubstantially on the vertical plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 5, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional view, FIG. 4being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 3,looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the ball drag in itsfull line operative position, and in dotted lines its inoperativeposition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the golf ballpractice range and the ball drag assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional viewillustrating a portion of the golf ball gravity feed system, FIG. 6being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 5,looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary detail cross-sectional view of the gravity feedsystem, FIG. 7 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line7-7 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional view showingdetails of the housing structure, the operating mechanism for the golfball return drag, and of the golf ball gravity feed and collectingsystem, FIG. 8 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line88 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail cross-sectional view, FIG. 9 being takensubstantially on the horizontal plane of line 9-9 of FIG. 8, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional viewillustrating details of the golf ball return drag means, FIG. 10 beingtaken substantially on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the reversing circuit forthe electric motor of the golf ball drag;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary detail cross-sectional view, FIG. 12 beingtaken substantially on the vertical plane of line 12-12 of FIG. 8,looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional view, FIG. 13being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 13-13 of FIG.12, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of drain means for the golf courserange;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional view, FIG. 15being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 1515 of FIG. 14,looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary detail cross-sectional view on a reduced scale,FIG. 16 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 16-16of FIG. 15, looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more specificallyto the drawings, reference numeral 20 designates, in general, a golfpractice range constructed in accordance with the .teachings of thisinvention. For the purposes of convenience, simplicity, and clarity, therange 20 may be broken down into components of the whole wherein thereis designated by reference numeral 22 a golf driving range, a golf ballreturn or retrieving drag means 24, a gravity feed golf ball returnsystem 26, sodded ground areas 28, 30 for practice and instruction inthe use of woods and irons, housing means 32 providing additional playerpractice and instruction areas, and conventional clubhouse facilities(all to be described below), greens areas 34, 36, sand traps 38, 40, andpractice putting greens and areas 42, 44. The housing structure ispreferably surrounded by a grassed area 46. A sidewalk 48 extendsbetween the practice putting greens and areas 42, 44 and connects with atransverse walkway 50 bounding those ends of the putting greens 42, 44which are remotely disposed with respect to the housing means 32. Theareas 52, 53 surrounding and adjacent to the greens 34, 36 and the sandtraps 38, 40 are also preferably sodded.

Reference numeral 22 has been utilized above to generally designate adriving" range. This usage connotes that the user will be striving toobtain long golf ball shots through the employment of long woods andirons. Such usage is not, however, intended to preclude theunderstanding that the shorter woods and irons could not be used ifdesired on the range 22.

The driving range 22 is seen to comprise a plot of ground 54 (see FIG.2) which is, preferably about 400 yards long and 100 yards wide. Thesedimensions are not critical and may vary depending upon the amount ofland available and its configuration. In the practice of this invention,however, it is suggested that the plot 54 be essentially rectangular, asis shown in FIG. 1. The ground plot 54 is here bounded by a pair ofelongated laterally spaced and substantially parallel concretefoundation or ground retaining side walls 56, 58 (see FIG. 3) which, ifpreferred, may be precast. These side walls are preferably receivedwithin longitudinally extending trenches 60, 62, respectively, and theplanes of the upper ends 64, 66 of these walls are inclined upwardlyfrom their front ends (those ends adjacent the housing means 32) towardstheir respective opposed ends on a grade of, preferably, one-half inchper linear foot. Again, this specific grading is not critical, but thesame is offered as being exemplary of a preferred construction. Theremotely disposed ends of the side walls 56, 58 are connected by aconcrete rear wall 68 (see FIG. 2) or this may, optionally, compriseonly a ground backfill. Those ends of the side walls 56, 58 oppositelydisposed with respect to the rear end wall 68 are connected by atransversely extending concrete front wall 70 (see FIGS. 1, and 7) whichis disposed within a trench 72. The front wall comprises an upwardlyopening substantially U-shaped member having a bight 74 from thelongitudinally extending marginal edges of which upwardly extendlaterally spaced and substantially parallel arms 76, 78. The upper endsof the arms 76, 78 terminate (see FIG. 7) in planar surfaces 80, 82, andthe inner sides of the arms are formed with up wardly facing coplanarshoulders 84, 86, respectively, to all of which further reference willbe made below. The arms 76, 78 support a conventionally constructedsafety grill 83 which is recessed in the upper ends thereof, and theslats 83' of the grill 83 are laterally spaced from one another asufficient distance to permit the easy passage of golf ballstherethrough.

The ground 54 of the range 22 is graded from its front end to its rearend to form a V-shaped upper surface 88 (see FIG. 3) which isinterrupted at its apex by a longitudinally extending trench 90 whichreceives an elongated concrete substantially rectangular base member 92therein. The base member 92 may be precast, if desired, and the upperend thereof has a longitudinally extending V-shaped surface 94 formingextensions of the adjacent surface 88 at the apex thereof.

The upper surfaces 88 and 94 are graded to correspond with the rise ofthe side walls 56, 58, and these graded surfaces are then covered with ahard surface golf ball rebound strip 96 which may be made of any waterimpervious material such as, for example, asphalt or precast concretefor field assembly. The strip 96 is of substantially uniform thicknessthroughout its length, but it is deliberately thickened adjacent therear end of the range to form a downwardly and forwardly extendingtriangular planar end portion 98 (see FIG. 2).

The sides of the V-shaped strip 96 form an acute angle of approximately8 to 10 relative to a horizontal plane, and the upper surface of the endportion 98 forms an acute angle of 12 to 15 relative to a horizontalplane. These degrees of angularity are not critical and may vary at theoption of the builder.

The inner section of the thickened end portion 98 with the adjacent endsof the strip 96 results in the formation of a pair of trapezoidaloppositely disposed sides which connect to the triangular planar endportion 98. A pair of trapezoidal tufted pads or carpeting 100 formed ofa conventional plastic material are superimposed over the trapezoidalsides of the strip 96. As is seen in FIG. 1, the pads 100 extend fromthe front to the back of the range 22 where these pads are joined to atriangularly shaped tufted pad 102 which is super imposed over thetriangular end portion 98. Suitable means (not shown) may be used tosecure all of the pads in their respective positions.

The pads referred to above are of conventional manufacture and areavailable from many sources. In retail stores, these pads are known asbeing suitable for indoor and outdoor carpeting, and one such product isavailable from the National Carpet Company of Murrkirk, Maryland, whichis sold under the trade name Town and Terrace Ozite. Of course, anyother outdoor carpeting could be used providing that the same is tufted.

Fixedly connected to the upper ends 64, 66 of the side walls 56, 58,respectively, are lengths of elongated first track members 104, 106 ofidentical construction and, hence, a description of one is a descriptionof the other. Thus, each track member 104, 106 has, essentially, aC-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, and includes anormally upright bight 107 from the upper and lower marginallongitudinally extending edges of which laterally project the upper andlower arms 108, 110, respectively. Each of the arms, adjacent theirrespective free ends, terminate in arcuate reversions turned inwardlytowards one another to form elongated upper and lower rails 1 12, 114,respectively, there being a slot 116 between the outer terminal ends ofeach adjacent pair of upper and lower rails. The tracks are parallel toone another and open in manufacturing relationship relative to eachother.

The lower arms 110 are superimposed on the upper ends 64, 66 of theirassociated foundation side walls 56, 58 and are secured thereon as byfoundation bolts 117 which pass through the pairs of arms 108, 110,spacer sleeves 118 disposed therebetween, and which threadedly engage inanchor collars 120 embedded in the side walls 56, 58 at predeterminedlongitudinally spaced intervals. The bolts 117 also serve to secure theflanges 122 of a pair of angle irons 124 to, respectively, the uppersides of the arms 108, the angle irons comprising the bottom componentof an elongated fence 125 which includes a plurality of longitudinallyspaced upright standards 126 having their respective lower ends fixedlyconnected on the angle irons 124, and an open wire fencing 128 fixedlysecured to and extending between each adjacent pair of standards. Theheight of the fence 124 is optional, but it should be sufficiently highto catch rebounding balls, slices and hooks. Further, the range 22 maybe provided with a plurality of floodlights (not shown) which could besupported on the side walls 56, S8 and back wall 68 as well as on thehousing structure 32. Since the use of such illuminating means is oldand well known in this art, the same has been omitted from the drawings.

Fixedly connected to the lower rails 114 adjacent their respectiveopposed remotely disposed ends are pairs of electrical limit switchesLS-l and LS-Z having conventional actuating members 134 and 136,respectively. These limit switches are conventional and are of thenormally open single pole, single throw type with their respectiveactuating members being spring biased to switch open position. Connectedto and extending longitudinally of each arm 108 is an elongated hollowwire receiving conduit 138 for carrying wires connecting the switchesLS-l, LS-2 in an electrical motor control circuit to be described,infra.

Embedded in the base member 92 is an elongated longitudinally extendinghollow tubular conduit 140 cylindrical in transverse cross-section andhaving a diameter appreciably greater than the diameter of anyconventional golf ball 142. One end of the conduit 140 terminates in thethickened portion 98 and is connected to the lower end of the sole golfcup 143 provided in the range 22. The cup 143 is preferably marked bythe usual flag 144, although this is an optional feature. The pitch ofthe conduit 140 is such that any ball received within the cup 142 willtravel the conduit under the force of gravity for collection at thefront end of the range 22 in a manner to be described below. Generallyspeaking, such gravity feed golf ball systems are old and well known inthe art, the United States patent to Frank Fortino, US. Pat. No.2,701,140, being an example thereof.

Also embedded in the base member 92 is a third elongated longitudinallyextending track member 146 which is vertically spaced above the conduitand is on the same grade as the grade of the track members 104, 106.This member is identical to those heretofore described and is seen tocomprise an elongated bight 148 from the longitudinally extendingmarginal edges of which vertically project laterally spaced and parallelarms 150, 152 having reverted free end portions forming arcuate rails154, 156, respectively. The rails 154, 156 are spaced from one anotherto form an upwardly opening longitudinal slot 158. As is seen in FIG. 3,the upper V-shaped surface 94 of the base 92 is interrupted at its apexand terminates tangentially with the longitudinal apices of the rails154, 156; and it will also be seen in this Figure that the strip 96 isformed with an elongated slot 160 which extends substantially to theapex of the thickened end portion 98 (as does the track 146) invertically spaced alignment with the slot 158. The pads 100 take theV-shaped configuration of their underlying portions of the strip 96 andare separated along their adjacent longitudinal edges to form a thirdslot 162 adjacent the apex end thereof which is aligned throughout itslength with the slots 158 and 160.

Reference numerals 164, 166 denote first and second carriages for thetracks 104, 106, respectively. These tracks and carriages formcomponents of their golf ball drag means 24. The carriages 164, 166 areidentical in construction, and each comprises an elongated substantiallyrectangular solid bar 168 having openings 170, 172 extending inwardlycentrally, respectively, of its opposed ends. A pair of shafts 174, 176having vertical axes are disposed, respectively, adjacent one end ofeach bar. The outer ends of each of the shafts carry a wheel 178rotatably journalled thereon. A substantially U-shaped staple 180 isprovided for each bar, the remotely disposed ends of its arms 182, 184being connected to the bar to project laterally from a side thereofthrough the slot 116 and between the rails 112, 114. Each carriage 164,166 is disposed within its associated track 104, 106 with the wheels 178thereof engaging the inner side of the connected arcuate rails 112, 114,with the staples 180 of the carriages normally confronting one another.

A third carriage 186 is constructed in a manner similar to thoseheretofore described, this carriage comprising an elongatedsubstantially solid rectangular bar 188 having shafts 190, 192 extendingtransversely therethrough adjacent, respectively, each of its ends. Itshould be here noted, however, that the carriage 186 differs from thepreviously described carriages in that the axes of the shafts 190, 192are normally disposed in a horizontal plane. Each end of the shafts 190,192 has a wheel 194 rotatably journalled thereon to engage and ride inthe rails 154, 156, respectively.

Conventional bracket means (a clevis) 196 is fixedly connected to a sideof the bar 188 to project laterally therefrom, and the free end of thefoot portion 197 (see FIG. 4) of an L-shaped lever 198 is pivotallyconnected thereon by a pivot pin 200. The leg section 202, adjacent itsfree end, is formed with an opening 204 to threadedly receive a centralportion of an elongated cable stringer 206 therein to serve a functionto be described.

The carriage 186 is disposed in the track 146 with its wheels 194engaging and tracking the arcuate rails 154, 156, as has been statedabove. It will be understood that the distance between the apices of therails 154, 156 and the bight 148 at the confronting sides thereof isgreater than the diameter of the wheels 1178 to provide against binding,and the same is true of the other wheeled carriages 164, 166 and theirassociated tracks T04, T06.

As is seen in the several Figures of the drawings, reference numerals208 each denote one of a plurality of elongated cylindrical golf balldrags. In the preferred construction each drag is formed of a lightweight material as, for example, an aluminum alloy or of a suitableplastic material. Each drag comprises an elongated cylindrical side wall2T0 having a substantially solid end cap 212 at each of its respectiveends. Each cap 212 has a convex outer end 214 to prevent its locking orbinding against the adjacent one thereof when strung on the cablestringer 206 in the manner shown in the drawings, and more specifically,in FIG. 10. To permit the stringing, each end cap is formed with anaxial passage 216 passing through its apex.

The drags 208 extend on opposite sides of the lever 198 and the remotelydisposed ends of the cable stringer 206 are threaded through the staples180, are reverted at 218 and the reverted ends 218 are clamped to themain cable as by conventional clamp means 220.

With the cable stringer 206 connected to the car riages 164, 166 andextending through the opening 204 formed in the leg section 202 of thelever 198, the lever will be found to have two operative positions. Thefirst of these positions is shown in full lines in FIG. 4. In thisposition, all of the carriages are moving in the direction of the frontwall 70, and the drags 208 ride on the tufted pads or carpets 100. Thereis sufficient slack in the stringer cable 206 so that as this movementtakes place, the drags 208 assume a V-shaped configuration with thelever I98 substantially at the apex thereof. In this first operativeposition, the foot portion 197 of the lever 198 projects upwardlythrough the slots 150, 160 and 162, with the leg section 202 inoverhanging upwardly spaced relationship relative to the bar 188, andwith the free end of the bar 188 disposed below the tracks 1104, 106.All of the drags 208 engage the pads 100 to engage and sweep the golfballs 142 in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 4. N. stop meansis required to limit the clockwise downward movement of the lever 198when it is in its first full line operative position.

In the dotted line second operative position of the lever 1108, thelever has been pivoted counterclockwise to cause the foot portion 197 toengage the adjacent side of the bar 188 limiting further movementthereof, and the leg section 202 pivots to an upright position to extendthrough the aforementioned slots with its free end now elevated to ahigher position with the opening 204 coming to a halt substantially inalignment with the confronting slots 116 formed in the tracks 104, 106.The drags 208 are, thus, elevated above the pads 100 whereby the dragmeans 24 may be pulled in a reverse direction (in the direction of thedotted line arrow) whereby no engagement takes place between the drags208 and the golf balls 142. As will be more clearly set forth below, thepivotal movement of the lever 198 takes place as a function of themovement of the cable in one direction or the other relative to therange 22.

To effect the sweeping of the range 22, and comprising a furthercomponent of the drag means 24, means is provided for substantiallysimultaneously moving both carriages 164, I66 in one direction or theother relative to their respective traclt and, consequently,

causing the carriage 186 to move in the same direction. This meansincludes cable means 222, four pairs of pulleys 224, 226, 228 and 230,and reversible motor driving means 232. The pairs of pulleys includemounting plates 234 at each end of each track E04, 106 in which ismounted the pairs of upright shafts 224A and 22413, 226A and 2265, 2263Aand 2208, and 230A and 2308, respectively. These shafts rotatablysupport the pulleys 224C and 224D, 226C and 2261), 228C and 228D, and230C and 230D, respectively. The cable means 222 is trained around thesepulleys and is connected to the motor means 232, all in the manner to bedescribed below. Actually, the cable means 222 comprises a pair ofcables having their opposed ends fixedly connected within the openingsI70, 172 formed in the opposed ends of the carriage bars I68, 168 of thecarriages 164, I66, respectively. However, and before describing thedriving means for the drag 24, other features of the golf practice range20 should be described.

Thus, and as is seen in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, the front wall is centrallyinterrupted by a downwardly extending hopper 235 having downwardlyconverging side walls 235, 235", the adjacent ends of the front wall 70being in open communication therewith. The hopper 235 is also in opencommunication with the adjacent end of the conduit to receive golf balls142' which have been driven into the cup 143. To provide for thiscommunication, the underside of base member 92 and the conduit T40adjacent the front wall '70 are cut away.

Golf balls swept by the drag means 24 and which pass over the safetygrill 83 drop on a grill 236 which is supported on the shoulders 84, 86.As is seen in FIG. 7, the grill 236 comprises a plurality of transverserectangular strips 238 which are directly supported on the shoulders 84,86 and a plurality of longitudinally extending straps 240. The dividedfront wall 70 diverges upwardly from the interrupting hopper means 235,whereby such golf balls 142 that drop on the straps 240 willautomatically feed into the hopper 235 by the force of gravity.

The golf practice range, as has been stated above, also includes thehousing means 32. This means is disposed adjacent the front wall 20 andcomprises any suitable underground foundation 244 (see FIG. 8) and thisincludes at least one underground compartment or room 246. The roomherein illustrated comprises a floor 247, opposed spaced and parallelside walls 248, 250, and opposed end walls 252 (only one being shown).The upper end of the compartment or room 246 is closed by a horizontalceiling 254. The ceiling 254 also serves as floor means for otherstructure to be described below.

The room 246 serves to house an electrically operated reversible motor232 (M) supported on a suitable base 258 which also supports a speedreducer 260 to which the motor M is drivingly connected. The speedreducer 260 is drivingly connected with a drum 262 which is, in turn,connected via portions of the cable means 222 with the triple pulleys264, 266, 268 which are journalled for rotation on a common uprightshaft 270 also mounted on the support base 258. Conventional cabletightening means 272 is also provided.

The ceiling 254 also comprises a floor support for up rightlongitudinally extending walls 274, 276 and transverse walls 278, 280dividing the housing means 32 into a plurality of additional rooms orcompartments 281, 282, 224. The upper ends of these compartments areclosed by a second horizontal ceiling206 which also serves as floorsupport means for structure to be described below. Stair flights 288,290 afford communication between the compartments or rooms 246, 281, andingress and egress doors and/or windows 291 may be provided as desiredand where necessary.

While but few rooms 246, 281, 282 and 284 have been described andillustrated herein, it will be understood that the number andarrangement of such rooms depends upon the desire of the builder, but itshould also be borne in mind that the housing structure 32 should offerall of the facilities of the conventional golf clubhouse. Therefore,there should be provided rooms for club repair and accessory sales,restaurant facilities, lounges, office space for a professional golferwho will be available for instruction purposes, and all otherconveniences normally provided by a clubhouse.

It will be noted (see FIG. 8) that the ceiling or floor 254 projectsoutwardly beyond the walls 274, 276 to provide areas 254A, 254B. Thearea 254B is immediately adjacent the front wall 70 and is utilized bypracticing golfers who may be attended by the professional golfer whowill have his office in the housing structure 32. To this end,conventional practice mats 290 and other facilities are provided. As isseen in FIG. 9, the mats are spaced longitudinally from one another, andthe invention contemplates that this spacing and the spacing between themats 290 and the wall 276 will be sufficiently great so as to permit thepersonal supervision of the golf pro over the golfer, as well as topermit adjacent golfers to swing their clubs freely and safely, one withrespect to the other.

The floor or ceiling 286 has longitudinally extending area portions286A, 2868 which overhang the corresponding areas 254A, 2548, theportions 286A, 286B being separated from one another by fencing 292.Access is gained to the flooring 286 via the stairs 298 and flooropening 300 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), and this opening may be closed by anyconventional closure means (not shown). Any suitable and conventionalwire door means 293 (see FIG. 1) may be inserted in the fence 292,adjacent each end thereof or at any other desired location, to providethe users of the ceiling or floor 286 with access to either sidethereof. The floor area 286B may be used for driving golf balls 142 ontothe driving range 22, and the area 286A may be used for loungingpurposes or by customers waiting their turn to use the facilities of therange 22.

Referring back to the room 246 (see FIG. 8) it is seen that the hopperstructure 235 communicates therewith via the upright ball receivingconduit 302 and a lateral extension 304 which extends through the wall250 and below the lower end of the base 258. The golf balls 142, 142'will thus accumulate in the room 246 where they may be collected eithermanually or mechanically and deposited in pails or other suitablecontainers (not shown) to be carried to an appropriate one of the rooms281, 282, 284 for sale and reuse on the facilities of the range 20.

Attention is now directed to the motor means M, which is reversible, andits driving connection with the cable means 222. To understand thedrive, the cable means 222 will be referred to with specific referenceto FIGS. 5 and 8 of the drawings.

First, it should be observed that the axes of the shafts 224A, 224B,230A, 2308, 228A, 228B, 226A, 2268 are upright, with the pairs of shafts224A, 224B and 228A, 2288 being located adjacent the front wall 70 ateach end thereof, respectively. The pairs of shafts 226A, 2268 and 230A,2308 are also upright and are positioned adjacent the remotely disposedends of the first track members 104, 106, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 5, one cable forming a part of the cable means222 is here identified by the reference numeral 222A. The cable 222A hasone of its ends fixedly connected within the opening 172 formed in oneend of the bar 168 of the carriage 164. The other end of the cable 222Ais trained around and between the pulleys 230D, 230C and returns in thedirection of the pulley 228C about which it is also trained. This end ofthe cable 222A is then led across the idler pulley 264 (the uppermostone of the three pulleys 264, 266, 268) and is extended to the upper endof the drum 262 as the length 222B. The length 2223 is wound downwardlyfrom the upper end of the drum 262 and exits therefrom as the cablelength 222C which is then trained around the lowermost one of the idlerpulleys 268 and is extended for training around the pulley 2248 forconnection in the opening formed in the bar 168 of the carriage 166. Asecond cable 222D has one of its ends fixedly secured in the opening 170formed in the bar 168 of carriage 164, and the other end thereof istrained around the pulley 228D and is extended across the center idlerpulley 266 for training around the pulley 224C and around the pulley226C. This end of the cable is then extended across the pulley 226D andis connected within the opening 172 formed in the bar 168 of thecarriage 166.

Thus, and assuming that the motor M is driving the drum 262 in acounterclockwise direction, the cable 222A will draw the carriage 164 ina direction away from the front wall 70, the cable 222A feeding betweenthe pulleys 230D, 230C, the pulley 228C, around the top idler pulley 264and threads down on the drum 262 exiting as the length 222C which passesto the pulley 224B, and to that end of the bar 168 of the carriage 166adjacent the front wall 70. Now it must be recognized that if thecarriage 166 did not move in the same direction as the carriage 164, thecable length 222C, as it leaves the drum 262, would constitute uselessslack. However, with the carriage 164 moving towards the remote end ofthe driving range 22, the cable 222D is being drawn in the samedirection and across the centrally located idler wheel 266, and sincethe other end of the cable 222D is connected to the remote end of thebar 168 of the carriage 166, the carriage 166 will also travel towardsthe remote end of the driving range 22, and in so traveling, thecarriage 166 will take up the slack of the cable length or section 222C,

If the motor M is reversed to drive the drum 262 clockwise, then thecable 222C draws the carriage 166 towards the wall 70, the cable 222Cpassing around the pulley 224D and across the lowermost one of the idlerpulleys 268 exiting therefrom to wind up the drum 262, leaving the drum262 as the cable length 222B which, as it leaves the top idler pulley264 would provide slack in the cable 222A as it passes around thepulleys 228C, 230C and around the pulley 230D in the event the carriage164 did not also move in the direction of the front wall 70. This cableslack is taken up when one considers the fact that as the carriage 166moves towards the front wall 70, the direction of the travel of thecable 222D is reversed so that the carriage 164 is now moved in thedirection of the front wall 70, and in so moving,

ll ll the otherwise accumulated slack in the cable length 222A is pickedup.

The motor means M is a reversible electric motor of conventional design,and the motor is adapted to be energized from a conventional three-phaseAC. power source. The source and the reversing control circuit for themotor M are shown in FIG. 11.

The AC. source is indicated by reference numeral 400, and includes themain lines 402, 404, 406. These main lines connect via switch means 308with the wires 310, 312, 314, respectively, which are fused as at 316.The wires 310, 314 connect with the primary coil 318 of a voltage stepdown transformer 320.

Reference numeral 322 generally designates a conventionalelectromagnetic motor relay switch of the double pole, double throwtype. This switch includes a winding M1 provided with a reciprocablearmature 326 to which the switch blades 328, 330 are connected. Thearmature 326 is spring biased to its outer position to cause the blades328, 330 to normally engage with the fixed switch contacts 332, 334 inone operative position and, in a second operative position, and uponenergization of the winding M-l, the switch blades 328, 330 aredisengaged from the contacts 332, 334 and are engaged with the fixedswitch contacts 336, 338. In this case the armature 326 has movedinwardly of its winding M-l against its spring bias. Note that thecontacts 332, 338 are tied by wire 340, and that the wire 342 ties thecontacts 334, 336.

At 346 is designated a latching relay which includes the latching relaysolenoids LR-l and LR-Z, respectively. The latching relay 346 includes apivotally mounted switch arm 352 which serves as an armature for thesolenoid LR-l and which is biased to switch open position away from afixed switch contact 354. A latch lever 356 has one of its endspivotally supported on the latching relay 346, and its other free end isspring biased for pivotal movement away from its associated solenoidLR-2 and disposed in the path of movement of the free end of the switcharm 352. The arrangement is such that energization of the solenoid LR-lwill cause the free end of the switch arm 352 to engage the free end ofthe lever 356 causing the latter to move clockwise as viewed in FIG. 11,and to lock under its shoulder 358 while simultaneously closing againstthe fixed switch contact 354.

Deenergization of the solenoid LR-l and subsequent energization of thesolenoid LR-2 will cause the lever 356 to move counterclockwisereleasing the free end of the switch arm 352 from under the shoulder 358whereby the switch arm 352 breaks its engagement with its associatedfixed switch contact 354.

The limit switches LS-1 and LS-Z are adapted to sequentially open andclose when the staples 180 of the carriages 164, 166 engage against andare moved from the switch actuators 134. The limit switches areconnected in reversing circuits for the motor M. When the main switch400 is closed, the solenoids LR-l and LR-2 are connected in seriesacross the secondary winding 360 of the transformer 320.

Tracing the first of these circuits which includes the solenoid LS-l, awire 362 connects one side of the secondary winding 360 of thetransformer 320, with the fixed switch contact 364 of the solenoid LS-l.With the switch arm 366 of the limit switch LS-l closed against thefixed switch contact 364, the circuit is continued by a wire 368 whichconnects the switch arm 366 with one side of the solenoid LR-T, and theother side of this solenoid is connected by wire 370 to the other sideof the secondary winding 360.

The second series circuit includes the limit switch LS-2 and includesthe wire 362 which connects to the fixed switch contact 372 via the wire374. in its closed position, the switch arm 376 of the limit switch LS-2connects by wire 378 to one side of the solenoid LR-2, and the otherside of the solenoid LR-Z connects back to the other side of the primarywinding 360 of the transformer 320 via the wires 380, 370. Both of theabove described series circuits are commonly fused as at 382.

With the main switch 308 closed, and upon the closing of anyone of thelimit switches LS-l or LS-2, the motor M is energized. The motorcircuits are traced in detail below, and for the purpose of explanationit will be assumed that the component elements of the electrical circuitare in their positions illustrated in FIG. 11 and further, that thecarriages 164, 166 are moving in the direction of the limit switch LS-lafter having first closed the limit switch LS-2. Under this set ofconditions, the following operational sequences take place throughout agiven cycle of operation of the drag means 24.

As the carriages 164, 166 approach the front wall 70, the staples willengage against the actuators 134 to close the switch arm 366 against itsfixed switch contact 364, these being components of the limit switchLS-l. The circuit to the solenoid LR1 is thus established, causing theswitch arm 352 to pivot downwardly into engagement with the fixed switchcontact 354, and in so moving it engages against the upper end of thelatch lever 356 causing it to pivot clockwise. As the free end of theswitch arm 352 passes below the shoulder 358, the latch lever 356 pivotscounterclockwise to lock the free end of the switch arm 352 under theshoulder 358. With the closing of the switch arm 352 against its fixedswitch contact 354, a circuit is completed to the winding M-] whichincludes the wire 310 that connects to one end of the wire 384, theother end of the wire 384 connecting with one side of the winding M-1,and the other side of the winding M-1 connecting through wire 386 withthe switch arm 352. Since the switch arm 352 is engaging the fixedswitch contact 354, the circuit is completed through the wire 388 whichconnects the fixed switch contact 354 with the wire 314.

The energization of the winding M-l causes its armature 326 to moveinwardly against its bias to effect the operation of the motor relayswitch 322. This will reverse the rotation of the motor M.

The motor M, in driving the carriages 164, 166 in the direction of thelimit switch LS-l was energized by circuitry which includes the wire 312which connects line 404 with the motor winding at point A, the wire 310which connects the line 402 with the motor winding point B via the wires384, 389, the switch blade 330, the fixed switch contact 334, the wire342 which is connected therewith and to which is connected one end ofthe wire 390, the latter having its other end connected to the motorwinding at point B. The line 406 connects to the motor winding point Cvia the wires 314, 388, 392, switch arm 328, the fixed switch contact332, the wires 340 and 394.

When, however, the limit switch LS-T has closed, as described above, andthe winding M-t of the motor relay 322 has been energized, this firstcircuit to the motor is broken and the motor is reversed through thefollowing circuits. The reversal is accomplished by connecting the line402 with point C and the line 406 with the point B of the motor winding.The line 404 remains connected through wire 312 with point A.

The first of the reversal connections includes the line 402, the wires310, 384, 389, switch blade 330, fixed switch contact 338, and wires 340and 394. The line 406 connects to the motor winding point B via thewires 314, 388, 392, switch arm 328, fixed switch contact 336, and wires342 and 330.

As the motor M reverses, the carriages 164, 166 now are drawn towardsthe back wall 68, and in so moving, the staples 186 are disengaged fromthe switch actuators 134 for the limit switches LS-l, thereby permittingthe switch arm 366 of the switch LS-1 to open away from its fixed switchcontact 364. While this permits the solenoid LR-l to become deenergized,the circuit to the motor M remains energized since the switch arm 352 isstill held against its fixed switch contact 354 by the shoulder 358 ofthe lever 356.

When the carriages reach the opposite end of the range 22, the staples180 thereof engage the switch actuators 136 of the limit switches LS-2with the following results. With the operation of the actuators 136, theswitch arms 376 of the limit switches LS-2 close against the fixedswitch contact 372. This establishes the energization of the latchingrelay solenoid LR-2, and upon this energization the latch lever 356 ismoved counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 11, to disengage the free endof the switch arm 352 from the shoulder 358. The motor relay winding M-lis now deenergized, and the armature 326 moves outwardly therefrom underthe switch bias causing the switch blades 328, 330 to move to their fullline positions shown in FIG. 11. The original circuit is nowreestablished, and the motor M again reverses.

It should be here noted that should the staples 180 overrun the switchactuators 154, or 136 before the direction of movement of the carriages164, 166 may be reversed, no changes occur in the electrical circuitsfor they will remain in their same energized or deenergized condition ifeach of the limit switches LS-1 and LS-2 are repeatedly actuated. Theonly change in the condition of the circuits occurs when the limitswitches are sequentially opened and closed.

Thus, the cyclic operation of the drag means 24 will continue as long asthe main switch 308 is closed. The main switch may be opened while thedrag is in any position on the pads 100, and upon reclosing the switch,the drag means 24 will continue to move in the same direction as it wasmoving when the switch 308 was opened. Thus, the drag means 24 may becontinuously operated without attendance by personnel, and assures thatdriven golf balls 142 will be constantly swept from the pads 100 forcollection and reuse. The operation of the drag 24 has still anotheradvantage in that no person need walk upon the pads 100 when collectingthe balls 142 and its operation also eliminates the use of theconventional golf ball pickup motor vehicle which must be shielded toprotect the operator thereof. In eliminating the vehicle, operatingcosts are reduced and payment of wages to its operator is eliminated.

As has been mentioned above, the conduits 138 are adapted to receivetherethrough the wires 362, 368 and 378 which connect the limit switchesLS-1 and LS-2 with the latching relay solenoids LR-ll and LR-2,respectively. The wires may be gathered together as the cables 394. Thelatching relay 346 and the motor relay 322, as well as the main switch308, may be conveniently located but, preferably, are disposed in thehousing structure 32.

While the construction of the drag means 24 and its movement on the pads100 with the carriages 164, 166 has been described, the manner by whichit is caused to be elevated above the pads 100 when moving to the backwall 68 has been deferred to this point since the basic structure hadfirst to be detailed.

It will be obvious to those skilled in this art that a range dragconstructed to reciprocate thereover and without means for elevating thesame when moving in the direction of the remote end thereof would besomewhat impractical. Such a drag device would merely shove the balls inthe direction of its movement. Of course, such drag means could beinitially positioned at the remote end of the range and range use haltedas the device swept to the near end of the range and subsequentlyreturned to its remote position. But this would reduce the range usetime and, consequently, the profits from the operation of the range.Other disadvantages would attend the operation of such a ball retrievingapparatus.

To obviate all such disadvantages, the drag means 24 of this inventionis flexible and includes means for raising the same as the drag meansmoves towards the remote end of the range. The mechanical components ofthe drag 24 have been described above. In this connection it has beenmentioned that the cable 206 is somewhat slack between its connectionwith the carriages 164, 166 and the pivoted lever 198. Thus, as thecarriages 164, 166 are moving in the direction of the front wall 70 (seeFIGS. 4 and 5) the drag 24 assumes a V- shaped configuration with theapex thereof extending towards the remote end of the range 22. The slackin the cable 206 allows the drags 208 to frictionally engage the padsthroughout their transverse widths and permits the drags to move overobjects in their path, other than golf balls and like spherical objects,which by virtue of their physical configuration could cause damage tothe pads or to the drags. As the drag means 24 sweeps towards the frontwall 70, the balls 142 collect in front of the drags 208. As thecarriages 164, 166 pass the front wall 70, the drag means 24 will passover the grill 83 and the hopper 235. Those balls which pass through thegrill 83 will drop on the straps 240 for conveyance by gravity to thehopper 235, and those balls adjacent the drags 208 proximate to thelever 198 are pushed by the drags 208 directly into the hopper 235.

When the carriages 164, 166 reach the end of the track 104, 106 adjacentthe front wall 70, the limit switches LS-l are actuated to reverse thedirection of the travel of the carriages in the manner described above.As the carriages 164, 166 now move towards the opposed ends of the track104, 106, the movement of the carriage 186 is temporarily brought to astandstill until the carriages 164, 166 move slightly ahead to reversethe V-shaped configuration of the drags 208. This position is shown indotted lines in FIG. 4. As the slack is taken up in the cable 206, itapplies a turning force on the lever 198 causing the same to pivot in acounterclockwise direction to assume the dotted line position thereofshown in FIG. 4 and which has also been described above. As the lever198 pivots to its dotted line position, the cable 206 is elevated to itsdotted line position and, consequently, the drags 208 will no longersweep the pads. When the carriages 164, 166 arrive at theabove-mentioned other end of the track members 104, 106, the staples 180engage the switch actuators 136 of the limit switches LS-2 and the motorcontrol circuits and their electrical components return to theirrespective positions and conditions illustrated in FIG. 11 and describedabove. The carriages 164, 166 reverse their direction of travel torepeat the described cycle.

As this reverse movement takes place, there is again a halt in themovement of the carriage 186 and a small slackening in the cablestringer 206 which is again taken up as the carriages 164, 166 pass thecarriage 186 in the direction of the front wall 70. As this slack ispicked up, the cable stringer 206 exerts a reverse force on the free endof the leg section 202 of the lever 198 causing the lever 198 to turnclockwise, reference being had to FIG. 4 of the drawings, to move thelever from its dotted line position to its original full line position.In so moving, the cable stringer 206 is lowered so that the drags 208reengage the pads 100.

The above described cycle of operation repeats as long as the carriages164, 166 repeat their reciprocable movement.

The angle of inclination of the pad 102 is sufficiently great relativeto a horizontal plane so as to cause all balls impacting thereagainst tomove downwardly thereon in the direction of the pads 100 under the forceof gravity. If desired, the tracks 104, 106 may extend to the rear wall68 while the track 146 terminates adjacent the apex of the pad 102.Under this condition, and providing sufficient slack in the cablestringer 206, even the remotely disposed ends of the pads 100 may beswept or dragged.

The entire facilities of the practice range are given over to theprovision of means enabling a person to practice his golf strokes usingpractically every conventional golf club. The range 22 provides golferswith means for practicing woods and long irons and to achieve accuracyin the placing of driven balls, and to achieve the latter, the pad 102is provided with a colored area 500 which surrounds the cup 143. Otherareas indicated by reference numeral 502 could be colored to indicatesimulated sand traps, and colored areas 504 serve as simulated shortergreens as does the colored area 506. In addition to serving as targetareas, the colored areas are spaced given distances from the front wall70 to afford the golfer with means for accurately determining how farhis clubs will carry a ball and thereby provide him with means forjudiciously selecting a particular club in order to carry a ball adesired distance in accordance with his capabilities.

As has been stated above, a person utilizing the facilities of the range20 may drive from the floor areas 2548 or 2868. If he wishes a morenatural environment he may use the areas 28, 30 which would be sodded.For shorter chip or pitch shots, the areas 42, 44 would be used with thegreens 34, 36 as the targets. The areas 42, 44 would preferably besodded and kept trimmed to simulate fairway or rough conditions. Thegreens 34, 36 could be provided with the usual cup and flag 408, 410,respectively, and the cups 408 could be constructed in accordance withthe random golf ball ejector cups described and illustrated in my U.S.Pats. Nos.

3,310,311 and 3,310,312 or in accordance with my copending application,Ser. No. 885,216 filed Dec. 15, 1969, and entitled GOLF PUTTING CUP WITHRANDOM-DIRECTION BALL EJECTION MEANS. The sand traps 38, 40 offer stillanother type of practice shot for the greens 34, 36.

The layout of the range 20 is such that all of the basic swinging andputting strokes may be practiced.

As has been stated above, the housing structure means 32 includesoffices for one or more professional golfers who will be in attendanceat all times to give instruction to golfers seeking to improve theirgame. But in addition to this personal instruction, and because of theparticular layout of the range 20, it is proposed that the professionalgolfer will be certified to issue certain certificates to persons underhis supervision attesting that a certain degree of proficiency has beenobtained by the golfer in accordance with certain preadopted standards(of no consequence to this invention), and to thereby enable the golferto enter certain games or tournaments from which he might otherwise bebarred for lack of practice on a conventional golf course.

This invention further contemplates the provision of drainage means forthe golf driving range 22. To this end it will be understood that anywater or snow which may enter the golf cup 143 and melt therein willdrain off through the tubular conduit 140, under the force of gravity,and will pass through the conduit into the ball receiving conduit 302.Such water will then travel the lateral extension 304 and will collecton the floor 247 of the room or compartment 246. From this compartmentthe water will pass through the drainage pipe 396 and its extension 398to any conventional external drain system. Again, the base member 92, atthat end thereof proximate the side wall 250, is formed with one or moreopenings 408 which extend transversely therethrough and through thebight 148 to discharge water from the third track member 146 in the samemanner. Some what may collect on the floor of the compartment 246, butit too will be carried off through the conduits 390, 392.

Any water which may collect in the third track member 146, or in thetubular conduit 140 will be minimal. By far, the greatest concerninvolves the drainage of the driving range 22. To eliminate thecollection of water on the driving range 22, it is contemplated thatwater collectors be installed such as, for example, those shown inFlGS.14, 15 and 16. Each of the containers or receptacles bears the generalreference numeral 410, and each of the receptacles 410 is seen to have agenerally hollow rectangular configuration.

Each of the receptacles 410 is seen to comprise a pair of oppositelydisposed spaced, parallel and normally upright side walls 412, 414 and apair of spaced, parallel and upright end walls 416, 418. The lower endsof the walls 412, 414, 416, 418 are fixedly connected or formed integralwith the peripheral marginal edge of a concave bottom wall 420. Thebottom wall 420 at its apex, is in open communication with one end 422of a pipe 424 having a lateral extension 426 which runs undergroundthrough the plot of ground 54 to a header 428 connected with the inletside of a conventional pump P. The pump discharge pipe 430 may beconnected to any conventional drainage system or may lead to anartificially created pond (not shown) which could be incorporated in thegolf driving range 20 as a water hazard, if so desired. Thecommunicating end g 422 of the pipe 424 is preferably provided with aconventional drain plate 432.

Reference numeral 436 generally designates an upwardly openingsubstantially U-shaped trough having an elongated substantiallyrectangular bight 438 from the peripheral marginal edges of whichupwardly project longitudinally extending substantially rectangular sidewalls 440, 442. Each trough 436 is supported on, extends between andopens through the opposed pair of side walls 412, 414.

The receptacles 410 are adapted to be embedded in the ground plot 54with the trough 436 receiving portions of the base member 92 therein atlongitudinally spaced intervals relative thereto.

To prevent debris from falling into the receptacles 410, the end walls416, 418, adjacent their respective upper ends, are provided with lugsor ribs 444, respectively, which project inwardly of the receptacles410. Similar lugs or ribs 446 project laterally from the side walls 440,442 into the receptacles 410. The adjacent pairs of elements 444, 446each support an elongated substantially rectangular grid 448 havinglongitudinally extending slats 450 and crossbars 452. The spacingbetween the slats and crossbars is less than the diameter of aconventional golf ball to prevent the entry thereof into the receptacles410.

Having described and illustrated the embodiments of this invention indetail, it will be understood that the same are offered merely by way ofexample, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for sweeping golf balls from a driving range, saidapparatus comprising:

elongated first track means disposed on opposite sides of said range,said track means including rail means extending longitudinally thereof;

wheel mounted first carriage means disposed for reciprocation in each ofsaid first track means with said wheels engaging the immediatelyadjacent one of said rail means;

a reversible electric motor and circuitry therefor connected in drivingrelationship with each of said carriage means to effect saidreciprocation thereof;

a circuit reversing limit switch secured on one of said track meansadjacent, respectively, each end thereof;

means on said carriage means engageable with said limit switches toreverse said electric motor and, consequently, the direction of movementof said first carriage means;

golf ball drag means connected on each of said first carriage means;

second track means extending longitudinally between said first trackmeans, said second track means including rail means extendinglongitudinally thereof;

second wheel mounted carriage means disposed for reciprocation withinsaid second track means with its said wheels engaging said second railmeans; and

means for connecting said second'carriage means with said drag means tohold said drag means in its ground engaging position when said first andsecond carriage means are moving in said one direction and to elevatesaid drag means above said range when saidfirst and second carriagemeans move in their second direction solely pursuant to their movementin said second direction.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said means for connecting said second carriage means with said dragmeans comprises a lever having one of its ends pivotally supported onsaid second carriage means; and

means on a second end of said lever for connection on said drag means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said driving range is V-shaped in transverse crosssection throughoutsubstantially its entire length.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 and:

means disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals adjacent the apex ofsaid driving range for draining said driving range.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said driving range is graded at a substantially constant acute anglerelative to a horizontal plane throughout a portion of its length.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said second track means is vertically spaced below said first trackmeans; and

said one end of said lever is mounted for pivotal movement about ahorizontal axis.

7. A golf driving range comprising:

support means;

a golf ball rebound strip overlying said support means and havingopposed pairs of sides and ends;

a plurality of walls of which a pair comprises opposed side walls;

track means fixedly connected on each of said side walls, each of saidtrack means including rail means;

a carriage for each track means, each of said carriages includingsupport means slidably engaged in the adjacent one of said rail means toenable said carriages to reciprocate relative to said track means fromone end of said range to the other;

an elongated flexible member extending between said carriages havingopposed ends connected on said carriages, respectively, forreciprocation with said carriages;

enlarged golf ball rebound strip engaging means connected on saidflexible member; and

means connected with said carriages to effect the reciprocation thereofsubstantially simultaneously and in the same direction.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said golf ball rebound strip is upwardly inclined relative to ahorizontal plane.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said rebound strip is V-shaped in transverse crosssection throughout aportion of its length.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said golf ball rebound strip is upwardly inclined relative to ahorizontal plane; and

said rebound strip is V-shaped in transverse crosssection throughout aportion of its length.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said flexible member comprises an elongated cable;

and

said golf ball engaging elements comprise elongated cylindrical membersstrung axially on said cable.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein:

each of said cylindrical members having an elongated hollow cylindricalside wall for engaging said strip and said golf balls; and

closure means at each respective end of said cylindrical side wallreceiving said cable therethrough.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein:

said closure means each comprises a substantially solid end cap havingan external convex surface; and

said golf ball engaging elements being strung on said cable with saidconvex surfaces of adjacent ones thereof being disposed in,substantially, abutting relationship relative to one another.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said rebound strip is substantially V-shaped in transversecross-section.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said rebound strip is inclined at an acute angle relative to ahorizontal plane.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said rebound strip is V-shaped in transverse crosssection; and

said strip is inclined at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 and, a third track disposedsubstantially at the apex of said rebound strip, said track includingrail means extending longitudinally thereof;

a third carriage for said third track means, said third carriageincluding support means slidably engaged in the adjacent one of saidrail means to enable said carriages to reciprocate relative to saidtrack means from one end of said range to the other; and

means for connecting said third carriage on said cable intermediate theends thereof.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 and a base member extendinglongitudinally of said golf ball rebound strip substantially at the apexthereof; and

said third track being partially embedded in said base member.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 and:

drainage means for said range, said drainage means comprising aplurality of receptacles spaced longitudinally of said base member;

each of said receptacles comprising a pair of oppositely disposed andspaced apart upright side walls, a pair of oppositely disposed andspaced apart end walls, and a bottom wall extending between and beingfixedly secured to the lower ends of said side and end walls;

each of said receptacles further including a trough extending between,supported on, and opening through said end walls, said trough beingadapted to receive a portion of said base member therein; and

means connecting each of said receptacles to a water disposal system.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein all of said track means isC-shaped in transverse crosssection;

said first named track members each having a longitudinally extendingslot formed therein with said slots disposed in confronting relationshiprelative to one another; and

said third track means having an upwardly opening longitudinallyextending slot formed therein.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein:

said golf ball rebound strip extends over the upper surface of said basemember adjacent each side of said slot formed in said third track meansto form a slot between adjacent sides thereof; and

cover means superimposed on both sides of said golf ball rebound stripand substantially covering the same throughout its length and width.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein:

said strip is formed of a solidwater impervious material; and

said cover means is formed of a fibrous material.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein:

said cover means further comprises a tufted weather resistant plasticmaterial.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein:

all of said carriages are slack connected on said cable.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein:

. the means for connecting said cable on said third carriage comprises alever having an end pivotally connected on said third carriage, and asecond end including means for connecting said cable thereon.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein:

said lever is substantially L-shaped in configuration including a footportion and leg section;

means pivotally connecting the outer end of said foot portion on saidthird carriage with said leg section having an opening formed therein toreceive said cable therethrough and comprising said connecting means forsaid cable with said third carriage and whereby reversal of the movementof said first named carriages and said cable causes said lever to pivotto elevate said cable and its connected golf ball engaging means abovesaid cover and draws said third carriage in said one direction, and uponreversal of the movement of said first named car riages and cable tomove in a second direction, said cable causes said lever to pivot tomove said leg section downwardly causing said golf ball engagingelements to engage against said cover.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26 and:

means at one end of said range for collecting golf balls swept by saidgolf ball engaging means thereto.

28. Apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein:

said collecting means comprises a first transversely extending wallextending between said side walls adjacent said one end of said range,said first transverse wall having an opening formed therein, saidopening opening upwardly receiving golf balls therethrough; and

means in said first transverse wall for conveying said golf balls to apoint of common collection.

29. Apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein:

said conveying means is gravity operated.

30. Apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said gravity operated conveying means comprises a plurality oflongitudinally spaced strips extending transversely across said range ateach side thereof, said strips converging downwardly in the direction ofthe apex of said golf ball rebound strip; and

hopper means disposed adjacent to and below the converging ends of saidstrips.

31. Apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein:

said golf ball rebound strip further includes a second transverse wallextending between the opposite ends of said side walls; and

said golf ball rebound strip includes a downwardly and inwardly inclinedportion adjacent said second transverse wall.

32. Apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein:

said downwardly and inwardly inclined portions of said golf reboundstrip includes golf ball cup means connected therewith; and

gravity operated golf ball conveying means connecting said cup with saidhopper.

33. Apparatus as defined in claim 32 and:

cover means extending over said downwardly and inwardly inclinedportions of said golf ball rebound strip.

34. Apparatus as defined in claim 33 and:

fence means fixedly secured on said side walls and said secondtransverse walls and projecting upwardly therefrom.

35. Apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein:

said means for effecting reciprocation of said first named carriagescomprises a reversible electric motor and a pulley-cable systemconnecting said motor with said first named carriages.

36. Apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein:

portions of said cable of said pulley-cable system are enclosed withinsaid track.

37. Apparatus as defined in claim 36 and:

a motor reversing limit switch fixedly secured to each end,respectively, of at least one of said tracks; and

means on the carriages associated with said one track engageable withmeans on said limit switches to effect switch actuation.

38. Apparatus as defined in claim 37 wherein;

said cover means is provided with colored areas comprising indicia.

39. Apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein:

said support means comprises a plot of ground bounded by said side andend walls.

40. Apparatus as defined in claim 39 and:

a housing structure adjacent said first transverse wall,

said housing structure including a first floor disposed substantially atground surface and a second floor supported thereover; and

said housing structure further including a compartment disposed belowsaid ground surface.

41. Apparatus as defined in claim 40 wherein:

said compartment houses an electric motor;

means connecting said hopper with said compartment which serves as acommon golf ball collection point.

42. Apparatus as defined in claim 41 wherein:

said first and second floors include areas reversed for practicinggolfers.

43. Apparatus as defined in claim 42 and:

means dividing said housing structure into a plurality of additionalcompartments.

44. The combination of claim 43 and:

sand trap and practice greens disposed adjacent said housing structure.

45. The combination of claim 44 and:

simulated rough sand fairways disposed adjacent said sand traps, saidgreens and said housing structure.

46. The combination of claim 45 and:

sodded areas adjacent said first transverse wall.

1. Apparatus for sweeping golf balls from a driving range, saidapparatus comprising: elongated first track means disposed on oppositesides of said range, said track means including rail means extendinglongitudinally thereof; wheel mounted first carriage means disposed forreciprocation in each of said first track means with said wheelsengaging the immediately adjacent one of said rail means; a reversibleelectric motor and circuitry therefor connected in driving relationshipwith each of said carriage means to effect said reciprocation thereof; acircuit reversing limit switch secured on one of said track meansadjacent, respectively, each end thereof; means on said carriage meansengageable with said limit switches to reverse said electric motor and,consequently, the direction of movement of said first carriage means;golf ball drag means connected on each of said first carriage means;second track means extending longitudinally between said first trackmeans, said second track means including rail means extendinglongitudinally thereof; second wheel mounted carriage means disposed forreciprocation within said second track means with its said wheelsengaging said second rail means; and means for connecting said secondcarriage means with said drag means to hold said drag means in itsground engaging position when said first and second carriage means aremoving in said one direction and to elevate said drag means above saidrange when said first and second carriage means move in their seconddirection solely pursuant to their movement in said second direction. 2.Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said means for connecting saidsecond carriage means with said drag means comprises a lever having oneof its ends pivotally supported on said second carriage means; and meanson a second end of said lever for connection on said drag means. 3.Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said driving range is V-shapedin transverse cross-section throughout substantially its entire length.4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 and: means disposed at longitudinallyspaced intervals adjacent the apex of said driving range for drainingsaid driving range.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: saiddriving range is graded at a substantially constant acute angle relativeto a horizontal plane throughout a portion of its length.
 6. Apparatusas defined in claim 5 wherein: said second track means is verticallyspaced below said first track means; and said one end of said lever ismounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis.
 7. A golf drivingrange comprising: support means; a golf ball rebound strip overlyingsaid support means and having opposed pairs of sides and ends; aplurality of walls of which a pair comprises opposed side walls; trackmeans fixedly connected on each of said side walls, each of said trackmeans including rail means; a carriage for each track means, each ofsaid carriages including support means slidably engaged in the adjacentone of said rail means to enable said carriages to reciprocate relativeto said track means from one end of said range to the other; anelongated flexible member extending between said carriages havingopposed ends connected on said carriages, respectively, forreciprocation with said carriages; enlarged golf ball rebound stripengaging means connected on said flexible member; and means connectedwith said carriages to effect the reciprocation thereof substantiallysimultaneously and in the same direction.
 8. Apparatus as defined inclaim 7 wherein: said golf ball rebound strip is upwardly inclinedrelative to a horizontal plane.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7wherein: said rebound strip is V-shaped in transverse cross-sectionthroughout a portion of its length.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7wherein: said golf ball rebound strip is upwardly inclined relative to ahorizontal plane; and said rebound strip is V-shaped in transversecross-section throughout a portion of its length.
 11. Apparatus asdefined in claim 7 wherein: said flexible member comprises an elongatedcable; and said golf ball engaging elements comprise elongatedcylindrical members strung axially on said cable.
 12. Apparatus asdefined in claim 11 wherein: each of said cylindrical members having anelongated hollow cylindrical side wall for engaging said strip and saidgolf balls; and closure means at each respective end of said cylindricalside wall receiving said cable therethrough.
 13. Apparatus as defined inclaim 12 wherein: said closure means each comprises a substantiallysolid end cap having an external convex surface; and said golf ballengaging elements being strung on said cable with said convex surfacesof adjacent ones thereof being disposed in, substantially, abuttingrelationship relative to one another.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim13 wherein: said rebound strip is substantially V-shaped in transversecross-section.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein: saidrebound strip is inclined at an acute angle relative to a horizontalplane.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein: said rebound stripis V-shaped in transverse cross-section; and said strip is inclined atan acute angle relative to a horizontal plane.
 17. Apparatus as definedin claim 16 and, a third track disposed substantially at the apex ofsaid rebound strip, said track including rail means extendinglongitudinally thereof; a third carriage for said third track means,said third carriage including support means slidably engaged in theadjacent one of said rail means to enable said carriages to reciprocaterelative to said track means from one end of said range to the other;and means for connecting said third carriage on said cable intermediatethe ends thereof.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 and a base memberextending longitudinally of said golf ball rebound strip substantiallyat the apex thereof; and said third track being partially embedded insaid base member.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 and: drainagemeans for said range, said drainage means comprising a plurality ofreceptacles spaced longitudinally of said base member; each of saidreceptacles comprising a pair of oppositely disposed and spaced apartupright side walls, a pair of oppositely disposed and spaced apart endwalls, and a bottom wall extending between and being fixedly secured tothe lower ends of said side and end walls; each of said receptaclesfurther including a trough extending between, supported on, and openingthrough said end walls, said trough being adapted to receive a portionof said base member therein; and means connecting each of saidreceptacles to a water disposal system.
 20. Apparatus as defined inclaim 18 wherein all of said track means is C-shaped in transversecross-section; said first named track members each having alongitudinally extending slot formed therein with said slots disposed inconfronting relationship relative to one another; and said third trackmeans having an upwardly opening longitudinally extending slot formedtherein.
 21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein: said golf ballrebound strip extends over the upper surface of said base memberadjacent each side of said slot formed in said third track means to forma slot between adjacent sides thereof; and cover means superimposed onboth sides of said golf ball rebound strip and substantially coveringthe same throughout its length and width.
 22. Apparatus as defined inclaim 21 wherein: said strip is formed of a solid water imperviousmaterial; and said cover means is formed of a fibrous material. 23.Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein: said cover means furthercomprises a tufted weather resistant plastic material.
 24. Apparatus asdefined in claim 23 wherein: all of said carriages are slack connectedon said cable.
 25. Apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein: the meansfor connecting said cable on said third carriage comprises a leverhaving an end pivotally connected on said third carriage, and a secondend including means for connecting said cable thereon.
 26. Apparatus asdefined in claim 25 wherein: said lever is substantially L-shaped inconfiguration including a foot portion and leg section; means pivotallyconnecting the outer end of said foot portion on said third carriagewith said leg section having an opening formed therein to receive saidcable therethrough and comprising said connecting means for said cablewith said third carriage and whereby reversal of the movement of saidfirst named carriages and said cable causes said lever to pivot toelevate said cable and its connected golf ball engaging means above saidcover and draws said third carriage in said one direction, and uponreversal of the movement of said first named carriages and cable to movein a second direction, said cable causes said lever to pivot to movesaid leg section downwardly causing said golf ball engaging elements toengage against said cover.
 27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26 and:means at one end of said range for collecting golf balls swept by saidgolf ball engaging means thereto.
 28. Apparatus as defined in claim 27wherein: said collecting means comprises a first transversely extendingwall extending between said side walls adjacent said one end of saidrange, said first transverse wall having an opening formed therein, saidopening opening upwardly receiving golf balls therethrough; and means insaid first transverse wall for conveying said golf balls to a point ofcommon collection.
 29. Apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein: saidconveying means is gRavity operated.
 30. Apparatus as defined in claim29 wherein: said gravity operated conveying means comprises a pluralityof longitudinally spaced strips extending transversely across said rangeat each side thereof, said strips converging downwardly in the directionof the apex of said golf ball rebound strip; and hopper means disposedadjacent to and below the converging ends of said strips.
 31. Apparatusas defined in claim 30 wherein: said golf ball rebound strip furtherincludes a second transverse wall extending between the opposite ends ofsaid side walls; and said golf ball rebound strip includes a downwardlyand inwardly inclined portion adjacent said second transverse wall. 32.Apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein: said downwardly and inwardlyinclined portions of said golf rebound strip includes golf ball cupmeans connected therewith; and gravity operated golf ball conveyingmeans connecting said cup with said hopper.
 33. Apparatus as defined inclaim 32 and: cover means extending over said downwardly and inwardlyinclined portions of said golf ball rebound strip.
 34. Apparatus asdefined in claim 33 and: fence means fixedly secured on said side wallsand said second transverse walls and projecting upwardly therefrom. 35.Apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein: said means for effectingreciprocation of said first named carriages comprises a reversibleelectric motor and a pulley-cable system connecting said motor with saidfirst named carriages.
 36. Apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein:portions of said cable of said pulley-cable system are enclosed withinsaid track.
 37. Apparatus as defined in claim 36 and: a motor reversinglimit switch fixedly secured to each end, respectively, of at least oneof said tracks; and means on the carriages associated with said onetrack engageable with means on said limit switches to effect switchactuation.
 38. Apparatus as defined in claim 37 wherein: said covermeans is provided with colored areas comprising indicia.
 39. Apparatusas defined in claim 38 wherein: said support means comprises a plot ofground bounded by said side and end walls.
 40. Apparatus as defined inclaim 39 and: a housing structure adjacent said first transverse wall,said housing structure including a first floor disposed substantially atground surface and a second floor supported thereover; and said housingstructure further including a compartment disposed below said groundsurface.
 41. Apparatus as defined in claim 40 wherein: said compartmenthouses an electric motor; means connecting said hopper with saidcompartment which serves as a common golf ball collection point. 42.Apparatus as defined in claim 41 wherein: said first and second floorsinclude areas reversed for practicing golfers.
 43. Apparatus as definedin claim 42 and: means dividing said housing structure into a pluralityof additional compartments.
 44. The combination of claim 43 and: sandtrap and practice greens disposed adjacent said housing structure. 45.The combination of claim 44 and: simulated rough sand fairways disposedadjacent said sand traps, said greens and said housing structure. 46.The combination of claim 45 and: sodded areas adjacent said firsttransverse wall.